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Hey!
I'm thinking of starting a new PBEM game for people who have never played (or only a few times) SMAC in multiplayer. I'm also looking for average players, ie. not people who think that Transcent should be the easiest difficulty level.
Settings would be whatever we all agree with, but I was thinking of something alongs the lines of Standard to Large custom map at Librarian (or maybe Thinker) difficulty level with standard rules (except maybe for Tech Starvation (slower tech progress) if everyone agree).
Would anyone be interested? I think it could be fun.
-Midnight
[This message has been edited by Midnight (edited April 22, 2001).]
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Radagast
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Hi! I'm game for a newbie PBEM. Any rules are fine with me (I guess), but probably best to have a random map? I've never done PBEM before. Count me in!
-Radagast
nazaran.1@nd.edu
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Yes of course, I meant Standard or Large random map, not custom. My bad. 
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I would be interested in joining a newbie. I've played mostly Civ2 rather than smac. Look forward to it starting.
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SamIAm, I was thinking, if possible, of having us all meet at the beginning of the game for 3-4 hours so we can play the first 50 of so turns by IP, since they go so fast. From then on, we would switch to PBEM (or from the very start, if somehow we can't all meet at the same time) with a turn every 2 (hopefully) or 3 (since I'm sure we all have better things to do in our lives than play SMAC  ) days. Note that this will be my first PBEM game too, so I'm just throwing those ideas out, but they seems to make sense (well, to me at least! ). Of course, if you have any better ideas, feel free to correct me!
-----
It looks like we already have 5 players: Radagast, SamIAm, sits, Twister and myself (Midnight). Cool!  That seems like a good enough number to start a game, no?
(Twister, would this be your first PBEM game? Since everyone else is a multiplayer newbie, I think it wouldn't be fair if someone had already played PBEM alot.)
Okie, let's get to work then. I need a few info from you guys.
A) FACTION
List your top 4 favourite factions, in decreasing order.
ex:
1. Faction #1
2. Faction #2
3. Faction #3
4. Faction #4
When I have everyone preferences, I'll randomly pick your names, with the first player selected getting his first choice, etc. I'll pick my own faction at the end, almong the 3 remaining, that way no one can accuse me of cheating. 
B) Settings
1. The map will be a random one (ocean surface: 50-70%, erosive forces: average, native life forms: average, cloud cover: average). Which size do you want: Standard or Large?
2. Difficulty level: Librarian or Thinker?
3. Game settings will be Standard Rules with the exception that Tech Stagnation will be ON. Is this addition okay with you (Yes), or is it an insurmontable obstacle to your enjoyment of the game (No)?
C) IP Game
1. Would you be willing to, as I mentioned above, play the first 50 turns or so in a IP game before switching to PBEM?
2. If yes, at what points this week would you be available for this game? Please also mention which timezone you're speaking about.
There, I think that pretty much covers it. Did I forget anything?
-Midnight
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Radagast
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A.
1. University
2. Gaian
3. Hive
4. Morgan
B.
1. I'd say standard: since this is for most of us our first PBEM game, we're likely to make lots of first-time mistakes...so a map that encourages faster meeting between factions and a fast game might be better (the way I play, I have a feeling by the tenth year, I'll want the game to be over very, very much)
2. Thinker
3. No: why tech stagnation?? is this a usual convention in PBEM games?
C.
1. The IP game idea sounds good
2. USUALLY I am free from 9pm-3am EST. However, before this Friday is not-so-good.
BTW: once one has the file for PBEM, how does one open it, do the turn, then send?
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Radagast
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oh yeah, what about doing this as a rated game? If we're all newbies, then it doesn't seem like it could hurt too much, since relatively (in theory) we should all be about the same.
In theory.
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Tech Stagnation Explanation: The reason why I suggested we play with Tech Stagnation ON is that, in my experience, I always end up rushing up the tech tree so fast it's not even funny, making discoveries every 2 or 3 turns, even faster if I concentrate on research. When I have Tech Stag on, discoveries are slowed to around every 4-8 turns, spreading the new techs around the game and actually giving me time to play with the discoveries made (ie. why bother with building chaos troops (8) when you know that in less turns that it will take you to actually make those troops, you'll already have discovered the plasma technology (13)). Anyway, that's just my opinion and if everybody votes no, we'll play without it.
Rankings: I guess we should all agree on this before decide to rank this game. I don't really mind one way or the other and I'll go with whatever you guys decide.
-Midnight
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quote:
Originally posted by Radagast on 04-24-2001 04:29 PM
BTW: once one has the file for PBEM, how does one open it, do the turn, then send?
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When you get the file, to in SMAC -> Multiplayer -> Load Game and select it. When you get in the game, a pop-up window will appears, saying something like "Turn: University" and prompting you for a password. Type it in and you'll be able to play your turn. When you hit the "END TURN" button, a new pop-up will appears, with "Turn: Whoever is playing after you" and prompting your for a password again. Obviously you won't know it, so click on "Save and exit", send the file to the next player and await your next turn. Voila!
-Midnight
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Midnight - Can you you confirm that you received my details via a private message? Cheers!
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This is going to be fun!
---------
Factions:
Midnight - Peacekeepers
Radagast - University
SamIAm - Morgan
sits - Gaians (so yes, obviously, I got your message )
Twister - Hive
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Settings:
Map - Large
Difficulty - Thinker
Tech Stag - Yes (vote was 2-2, casted mine to "yes" for 3-2)
Look First - Yes (as per the helpfull commodore suggestion)
=========
There are three issues I'd like to discuss with you guys before we get started.
1) IP
The only "window of opportunity" for us, as I seem to be able to read it, would be on Saturday at around midnight EST, give or take an hour. Would everyone be fine with that? If not, we'll simply have to start it PBEM from the beginning, unless I'm mistaken.
2) Ranking
Solver, the SMAC PBEM Ladder Administrator asked us if we wanted to be ranked. Do we? I don't mind one way or the other, but we should all agree on it.
3) Rules and conventions
Ok, this is where it gets interesting. I've been browsing through various PBEM treads, trying to learn from the mistakes and wisdom of others, so we can avoid some identifiable pitfalls. I'm sorry to bother you all with this, but it's better if we get this out of the way now rather than end up arguing about it in the middle of the game.
- I really shouldn't have to say it, but don't cheat! Don't exploit game bugs to have an unfair advantage over the rest of the players (ie. no AI base trading, no multiple drops and other lame tricks).
- Multiple reloading of the game to try for different effects is forbidden.
- If a player employs a tactic that causes a state of vendetta, they are not allowed to "accept" a pending diplomatic agreement with that faction, causing a change in diplomatic status or the transfer of energy or knowledge.
- If a probe team action is employed against a Treatied or Pacted faction, the initiator must choose the "Declare Vendetta" option, unless permission is received in advance for the action.
- Upgrading units with the design workshop is allowed at end of turn only (after having moved all your units).
- Social engineering choice limited to one switch per line per turn. (no flip-flop within turn!)
- "Demand withdrawal" is permited only when two factions have a treaty (not under truce) and with the following additional conditions:
a) Defender detects intruders in territory
b) Defender sends in-game message (including the position of at least one ennemy unit in his territory) and publishes on the thread intention to demand withdrawal next turn unless attacker agrees to withdraw immediately, using a route and in a time frame specified by defender
c.1) Attacker complies - no further action unless attacker deviates from withdrawal plan, in which case defender may demand withdrawal immediately with no further notice.
c.2) Attacker does not comply - defender demands withdrawal
c.3) Attacker does not comply and declares vendetta via the thread and an in-game message. Defender may not demand withdrawal.
- Communications only allowed between factions that have obtained each others' commlink frequencies in-game.
Is everyone okay with those?
=========
(Twister: it's SMAC)
-Midnight
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eek! Sounded very complex when I first read it but I think I understand it now. Except I don't know of the bugs that you refer to - hope I don't do it by accident.
I don't mind the game being rated.
I can make the proposed time ie 5.15am GMT (but it might be as late as 6am GMT.) I think that makes it between 12.15am-1am EST. I'm sorry to be vague about this but it all depends what time I get in from work.
How are we meeting up, ICQ? mine is 22258619.
Also, is it possible to start the game via PBeM and then play a little IP later. At least we will be able to get going sooner.
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quote:
Originally posted by sits on 04-26-2001 01:47 AM
eek! Sounded very complex when I first read it but I think I understand it now. Except I don't know of the bugs that you refer to - hope I don't do it by accident.
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The point I was trying to make is: don't exploit bugs on purpose. I'm no expert either (far from that), and don't pretend to know everything about the game. If any of us are exploiting bugs unknowingly, I'm sure the others will be there to kindly point it out. It will, after all, be our first PBEM game, so we're all bound to make mistakes.
quote:
Also, is it possible to start the game via PBeM and then play a little IP later. At least we will be able to get going sooner.
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Yes, although I heard it caused some bugs (like people losing turns and stuff like that), so I'm not sure it would be such a great idea. Maybe Twister, since he already played in multiplayer, can point us toward the best possible solution.
-Midnight
[This message has been edited by Midnight (edited April 26, 2001).]
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23-04-2001 02:38
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